Vacuum-producing device for suction cleaners



Jan. 8, 1924. 1,479,811

H. HINERMAN ET AL VACUUM PRODUCING DEVICE FOR SUCTION CLEANERS F iledNov. 28. 1921 Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

ENT FICE.

HARRY HINERIHAN, CHARLES MEYER/S, AND IRA E. EWING, F WHEELING, WESTVIRGINIA. I

VACUUM-PRODUCING DEVICE FOR SUCTION CLEANERS.

Application filed November 28, 1921. Serial No. 518,282.

T0 (:17 whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, HARRY HINERMAN, Ci-rimnrs Murnns, andInA E. EWING,citizens of the United States of America, and residents of Wheeling,county of Ohio, and State of West Virginia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Vacuum-Producing Devices for SuctionCleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to clean- .ing apparatus of the vacuumtype, and more specifically to a vacuum producing device for suchapparatus.

The primary object ofthe invention is to provide an improvedconstructionof apparatus wherein a current of water under-pressure derived from anordinary service line may be utilized for creating and maintaining thepowerful suction required in cleaning apparatus of the vacuum type.

A further object is to provide a vacuum producing device of thecharacter mentioned having conveniently adjustable means wherebyregulation of the vacuum may be effected.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of which the vacuumchamber may comprise a single section or may be composed of a pluralityof sections, the formation being such that any number of such sectionsmay be employed, multiplication of the sections tending to increase theefliciency of the vacuum.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in thefeatures of construction, arrangement of parts and combinations ofelements which will hereinafter be exemplified, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the invention, and- Figure 2v is a fragmentary section on line2-2, Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawings, 1 indicates a cylindrical shell or easingwhich may be employed alone or in association with one or more similarcasings 1' arranged in a connected series, the same having a formadapted to allow of its use as a unit in a structure embodying anynumber thereof. The apparatus will herein be described as a two-unitstructure, although, as indicated, a lesser or greater number of unitsmay be employed.

The casing 1 has its upper end closed by head or cap 2 and has attachedto and depending from its lower end the similar casing 1. This lattercasing has attached at its lower end a waste pipe 3 leading to a drain,sewer or other outlet.

The interiors of said casings together constitute a vacuum chamber, andeach of said casings has formed thereonone or more tubular arms orbranches l adapted tobe connected to pipes 5 leading to suitable pointswithin the building, suchpipes being designed to have attached theretothe flexible tube of a vacuum cleaner.

Disposed concentrically within the interior of the casing l is the upperportion of a contracted throat member .6 having a body of relativelysmall diameter and having its upper end flared outward to meet theeasing Walls, presenting a gradually inclined mouth. Said member may becast integral with the casingl, but is preferably threaded into placewithin said casing with its mouth end located a suitable distance belowthe branches t and with its lower end extending a suitable distance intothe casing 1.

Directed centrally through the cap 2 is an adjustable verticallydisposed tube 7 which carries upon its lower end. a spray nozzle 8having a discharge opening 9 of conical form relative to which aconical, or bellshaped, valve 10 is adjustable for controlling the flowof water therethrough. Said valve is carried upon the lower end of avalve stem 11 which is adjustable vertically in a valve casing 12 that imounted upon the upper end of the tube 7 and that has a side-opening 13through which water is admitted under pressure from the water-serviceline.

The valve 10 is designed to be adjusted with respect to the spray nozzlefor direct ing water in the form of a circular spray against theinclined surfaces of the upper end, or mouth of the throat member 6 forproducing a partial vacuum whereby a strong suction is exerted fortaking up dirt and foreign mater through the cleaner noz zle andconducting the same to the vacuum, chamber, 1, whereupon it iscaught bythe water issuing from the spray nozzle and is discharged downward withthe latter to the drain or sewer.

The unit or section 1, coupled to the unit 1 as aforesaid, has one ormore branches 4, any or all of which may either be plugged or connectedin lines leading to suitable points Within the building. Said unit 1 hasa throat member 6 which is similar to the member 6, except that theformer is plain whereas the latter has threaded upon its lower end anipple lt providing a smallchamber 16 to Which water under pressure isconducted, as through afor increasing the vacuum produced, as

aforesaid, by the spray from the nozzle 8.

As is obvious, the volume and the force of the Water which' impingesuponthethroat' members 6 and 'G may be regulated by a'd- 'iustment of thevalve '10 and adjustment of the nipple 14' respectively.

"lVhat is claimed 'is- A vacuum producingqdevice comprising a pluralityoi? vertically alinedcasing sections having connection with a drain, the

uppermost section having its upper end closed, each of said'sect ionshavingair-ifllet branch-es, a contracted throat member disposedconcentrically Within each of said sections below said branches, each ofsaid members having its upper end flared out- Warclu' 11to engagementwith the adjacent casing section and presenting; a widely tfiared mouth,a .tube extending centrally through and adjustable in the closed end ofthe upper casing section, a water-inlet valve casing surmounting saidtube, a stem adjustable in said valve casing, a valve carried bysaid-stem, a nozzle carried by the lower end of said tube, said valvebeing adapted to be positioned with respect to the discharge opening ofsaid nozzle through ad justment of said stem for controlling thevelocityof the water admitted through said opening, a nipple carried bythe lower end of the uppermost oft-he tlHOELlZHIQZDbQIS and providing achamber having: a contracted 'discha-rge passage annular to said member,and means adn'iitting water to said chamber. In testimony Whereo f weafiix our signaturesin presence of a Witness.

? HARRY HlNERlilAN. CHARLES MEYERS. "IR-1A E. EWING. -Witness Donner.

